APPLICATION DATA

AD353-129
Rev 2
April 2012

Procidia Control Solutions

Feedforward Control
This application data sheet describes several steam to the heat exchanger to control the
feedforward control methods. Any of these temperature at setpoint. An increase in the feed flow
configurations can be readily developed within a to the heat exchanger will cause a decrease in the
Siemens 353 controller. 1 exit temperature. The temperature controller
responds to this control error by increasing the steam
Feedforward control is a method of compensating for flow as required to return the temperature to setpoint.
process load disturbances before they can affect the The change in feed flow represents a change in load
primary control variable. This control strategy is on the heat exchanger and is referred to as a load
particularly beneficial for critical process control loops disturbance. Other load disturbances that can affect
that are often slow to respond to load disturbances. the exit temperature are changes in inlet
By reducing the effect of these load disturbances, temperature, ambient temperature, and steam
feedforward control minimizes the magnitude and pressure.
duration of the control errors that would normally
occur without this control strategy. The temperature controller can compensate for any
and all load changes. That is the essential
In the heat exchanger example shown in Figure 1, advantage of feedback control. No matter what is
exit temperature is the primary control variable. The causing a change in exit temperature, the controller
temperature controller (TC) manipulates the flow of will detect the error and change the steam flow as
required to reduce the error to zero. Figure 2 is an
Steam example of the response of a single-loop PI controller
to a change in feed flow. As expected, the controller
returns the exit temperature to setpoint after the load
TC
disturbance from the change in feed flow.

The disadvantage of feedback control is that it can

detect the load disturbance only after the disturbance
has occurred. Due to the dynamics of the process,
the load disturbance will go undetected for some time
TT
before the exit temperature begins to change, and
then additional time will be required for the exit
Feed Exit temperature to respond to the change in steam flow
Temperature manipulated by the controller to compensate for the
new load.
Heat
Exchanger Another disadvantage of feedback control is the
T potential for unstable operation. Since all feedback
control loops will cycle if tuned to respond too quickly,
the speed at which the temperature controller can
Condensate compensate for the disturbance is restricted by the
stability limit of the control loop.
Figure 1 Heat Exchanger Temperature Control

1
See Applications Support at the back of this publication
for a list of controllers.
AD353-129

Exit Temperature

Steam Flow

Feed Flow

Figure 2 Single-Loop Response to Feed Flow Change

Figure 3 shows an example of feedforward control scaling and dynamic compensation, it is theoretically
applied to the heat exchanger temperature control possible to match the change in valve position to the
loop. The load disturbance, caused by a change in change in feed flow so that there is no effect
feed flow, is measured and added directly to the exit whatsoever on the exit temperature.
temperature controller output. This allows an
increase in feed flow to provide an immediate It should be noted that feedforward is an open loop
increase in steam flow. With appropriate signal control strategy. The change in the manipulated
variable (steam flow) has no effect on the load
Steam variable (feed flow). Therefore, it is not possible for a
feedforward loop to become unstable.
+ TC
For feedforward to be effective, it must be configured
+
so that the change in load moves the manipulated
variable in the right direction, the right amount, and at
the right time. The right direction can be deduced
from an understanding of the process. The right
TT
FT amount and the timing may be estimated from
process knowledge, but is more often determined by
empirical testing of the control loop and its response.
Feed Exit
Temperature
If feedforward adds too much steam for an increase
in feed flow, the exit temperature will increase, and
Heat
Exchanger
there will be a control error in the opposite direction
T from that caused by the load change. The control
configuration must include a gain adjustment so that
the magnitude of the change in the manipulated
Condensate variable can be adjusted relative to the change in the
load variable.
Figure 3 Heat Exchanger Steady State
Feedforward Control A similar problem occurs if the change in steam flow
is too soon or too late. Since exit temperature will
respond at different rates to a change in feed flow
and a change in steam flow, it may be necessary to
slow down (or speed up) the response of the

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 AD353-129

manipulated variable to a change in feed flow. The CO = PG( P − S ) + MR

control configuration must include dynamic where:
compensation to synchronize the response of the CO is controller output
manipulated variable with the response of the load PG is proportional gain
variable. This is accomplished by adding lead or lag, P is process variable (feed flow)
and perhaps dead time, to the feedforward signal. S is setpoint from SETPT block
MR is manual reset
Although feedforward control provides significant
benefits, it is not practical to control a process by The values for S and MR are initialized whenever the
feedforward alone. Feedforward can only loop is switched to the manual mode. The “not auto”
compensate for measured load variables. It is not (NA) status signal from the A/M transfer switch in
practical to measure every conceivable load variable loop 1 will force the SETPT block in loop 2 to track
that can disturb a process. In addition, it is not the feed flow signal and the manual reset of the PD
possible to provide perfect feedforward compensation block to track the output of the A/M block. When the
for the load variables that are being measured. Even loop is returned to auto, the values of S and MR are
the most sophisticated feedforward control scheme is held at the values of their respective track variables
not capable of controlling the process variable exactly at the moment the transfer is made. Since P=S and
at setpoint. Therefore, it is always necessary to use MR equals the valve signal, the output of the PD
feedback control in conjunction with feedforward block is initialized at the current valve output. Any
control to “trim” or “bias” the feedforward model. subsequent change in the feed flow will change the
output of the PD block by an amount equal to PG(P –
For feedforward control, consider one of the S).
techniques below, which are discussed in detail in the
remainder of this publication. Math block MTH1 in loop 1 adds the feedforward
component from the PD block to the output of the PID
• Steady State Feedforward exit temperature controller. Except as filtered by the
• Impulse Feedforward lag block (LL1), this provides an immediate change in
• Model Predictive Feedforward the valve signal for changes in feed flow. The
characterizer block (CHR1) is available to
STEADY STATE FEEDFORWARD compensate for any nonlinearity in the relationship
between valve position and steam flow to the heat
The steady state feedforward configuration is shown exchanger.
in Figures 4 and 5. The PID function block in loop 1
manipulates its output to control the exit temperature Notice that MTH1 is configured with a – 50% bias
at the setpoint value from the SETPT block. value. This allows the PID controller output to trim
the feedforward component in both a positive and
The feed flow signal is the load variable for negative direction. When the PID block output is at
implementing feedforward control. In this application midscale (50%), the controller output signal is
example the feed flow signal is acquired using cancelled by the bias and the feedforward component
Ethernet I/O and brought into the 353 (loop 2) is passed through without bias. However, the
through the AIE1 function block. The lead/lag block controller can adjust the valve loading signal up or
(LL1) provides adjustable dynamic compensation. It down by varying its output above or below midscale
can be configured to provide lag or lead respectively.
compensation. A dead time block (DTM1) has also
been included for any dead time compensation that The A/M transfer block in loop 1 allows the operator
may be required (see AD353-127 for dead time to switch between auto and manual modes of
compensation techniques). operation. To provide bumpless transfer from
manual to auto, the PID controller must be initialized
The proportional-only controller (PD) in loop 2 at a value that will allow the MTH1 function block to
provides signal scaling and bias for the feedforward track the output of the A/M block in the manual mode.
signal. If the PD controller is configured for direct This is accomplished by “back calculating” the
action, the output signal is determined by the appropriate reset feedback in math block MTH2. In
following equation: manual, the PID controller tracks the feedback signal
provided by the MTH2 block and the PD controller

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AD353-129

Figure 4 Exit Temperature Controller with Steady State Feedforward Control (CF353-129SS)

Figure 5 Steady State Feedforward Computation for Exit Temperature Controller (CF353-129SS)

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 AD353-129

tracks the output of the A/M block. This forces the minimize the change in the controlled variable for a
output of the PID block to midscale (50%); which change in the load variable.
forces the output of the MTH1 block to match the
output of the A/M block. For tuning the feedforward response, it is most
convenient if the load can be adjusted to change the
An example of the response to a feed flow change for feedforward variable. When this is not possible, it is
this example is shown in Figure 6. Compared with necessary to observe and, preferably, record the
the single loop only response in Figure 2, the effect of changes as they occur. A record of the
feedforward compensation has reduced the effect of valve position is particularly useful for tuning.
a feed flow load disturbance significantly. Depending
on the dynamic interaction between the feed forward Figure 7 shows four feedforward tuning examples
variable (feed flow) and the controlled variable (exit and the resulting valve positions. In all cases, a step
temperature), the amount of improvement may be change occurred at the instant the valve plot
limited. The tuning of the feedforward compensation undergoes a step change upward. The horizontal
is also critical to the performance of the feedforward dashed line represents the new steady state valve
compensation. position that returns the controlled variable to

Exit Temperature

Steam Flow
PG = 0.58, TLAG = 0.01 min, TLEAD = 0.18 min.

Feed Flow

Figure 6 Response to a Feed Flow Change with Feedforward

Tuning setpoint. Dynamic compensation has been

minimized for these examples.
In a feedforward loop, the primary feedback controller
must be tuned before tuning the feedforward Example A shows the effect of too much feedforward
compensation. To minimize the effect of feedforward gain. Feedforward moves the valve too far initially,
while tuning the primary controller, set the lag block and the feedback controller must reduce its output to
(LL1) time constant (TLAG) and the PD controller compensate for the over-correction. The only way
gain (PG) to their minimum values. The feedback the controller can accomplish this is to integrate a
controller can then be tuned using any of the control error caused by the initial overcorrection.
standard methods including AUTOTUNE in a 353.
Example B shows the effect of too little feedforward
Next, the feedforward gain and time constant are gain. Feedforward does not move the valve far
tuned for the best feedforward compensation. With enough initially, and the feedback controller must
exact compensation, a change in feed flow would increase its output to compensate for the under-
have little or no effect at all on the exit temperature. correction. Again, integrating a control error is
However, exact compensation is often not possible required.
because a simple lead or lag response cannot
compensate for the more complex process dynamics In example C, the feedforward gain is set correctly.
normally encountered. Therefore, the objective is to The initial valve position achieved by feedforward is
the same position that satisfies the feedback

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AD353-129

controller at steady state. However, the transient The dynamic compensation will rarely be perfect due
increase in valve position after the initial step to the complex nature of the process dynamics.
indicates that the controlled variable did not remain at
setpoint initially. Feedforward was too late to prevent Comparison with Other Methods
the transient control error. Clearly, feedforward
cannot be expected to respond before the load Steady state feedforward is relatively simple to
change occurs. However, lead compensation implement and tune. However, it is important to
provides an initial kick to minimize the effect of being realize that this method of feedforward control can
late. prevent the feedback controller from stroking the
valve completely. If, for example, the feedforward
In example D, the feedforward gain is also set component is contributing more than 50% to the
correctly. However, in this case, the transient valve signal, the feedback controller will not be able
decrease in valve position indicates that the to bias the feedforward sufficiently in the negative to
feedforward response was too early. Lag close an air-to-open valve. This does not normally
compensation can minimize the effect of being too occur unless the feedforward component is badly
early. misadjusted.

Typically, the feedforward gain (PG) should be If a sustained control offset develops due to the
adjusted to the correct value before adjusting the biasing problem described above, momentarily switch
lead or lag settings. Then, find the dynamic the loop to manual to re-initialize the controllers and
compensation that minimizes the transient effect. then switch the loop back to auto to resume control.

Figure 7 Feedforward Tuning Examples

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 AD353-129

IMPULSE FEEDFORWARD Figure 9 shows the combination of a deviation

amplifier (DAM_) block and a lag (LL_) block that is
Impulse feedforward derives its name from the fact used to implement the impulse feedforward. The
that the feedforward (load) variable generates an load variable is connected to the A and B inputs (B
impulse that provides a transient bias to the controller via the lag block), and the controller output is
output. The valve loading signal is the sum of the connected to the C input. At steady state, A and B
PID controller output and the feedforward impulse. cancel one another, and the output of the deviation
This feedforward technique is shown in Figure 8. amplifier is simply the value of the C input (controller
output).
Steam Reset
Feedback For a step change in the load variable, there is an
immediate change (impulse) in the output of the
IMP + TC deviation amplifier. However, as the lag responds to
+ the step change, the A input is increasingly cancelled
by the B input, until at steady state the load variable
contributes nothing to the output of the deviation
amplifier. The initial impulse decays to zero, and the
TT
output of the deviation amplifier returns to the value
FT
of the controller output (input C).

Exit An impulse that decays to zero does not provide the

Feed
Temperature steady state change in the manipulated variable that
is necessary to compensate for the load disturbance.
Heat However, as shown in Figure 10, the output of the
Exchanger deviation amplifier provides external reset feedback
T to the controller. This allows the impulse to drive the
reset (integral) component and force the controller
output to a new steady state operating value. If the
lag time (TLAG) is set equal to the integral time, the
Condensate reset component will complement the decaying
impulse. The sum of these two transients will provide
Figure 8 Impulse Feedforward a sustained step change in the output of the deviation

Load Controller
Variable Output 100%

Gx L

C DEV AMP
A Output
DEV TL
AMP
Load Variable
B

Lag L

0
GAIN(A-B) + C t

Figure 9 Impulse Function

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AD353-129

Load
Variable
FB 100%
PID

DEV AMP
Reset Output
Gx L

C Impulse
A
DEV TL
AMP
B
Load Variable

Lag L

0
G(A-B) + C t

Figure 10 Impulse Plus Reset Feedback

amplifier. This achieves a steady state change in If desired, a characterizer block can be inserted in the
valve loading without integrating a control error or valve signal, as shown in Figure 4 for the steady
adding a steady state bias. state feedforward configuration. However, the
external feedback for the PID block must “tee off”
Impulse feedforward can also provide dynamic upstream of the characterizer block.
compensation by setting the lag time (TLAG) to be
less than or greater than the integral setting (TI) of Tuning
the controller. For lead response, TLAG must be less
than TI, and for lag response, TLAG must be greater Impulse feedforward is tuned in much the same way
than TI. as steady state feedforward. The main difference is
the manner in which dynamic compensation is
Configuration accomplished when using impulse feedforward.

Figure 11 shows the configuration for impulse With the gain (GAIN) of the deviation amplifier
feedforward. The PID controller manipulates its (DAM1) and the time constant (TLAG) of the lag
output to control the exit temperature at setpoint. block (LL1) set at minimum values, the feedback
The feed flow signal is the load variable for controller (PID) can be tuned using any of the
implementing feedforward control. This signal is preferred methods.
applied directly to one side of a deviation amplifier
(DAM1) and indirectly through a lag block (LL1) to the Before doing tests to determine the feedforward gain,
other side of the deviation amplifier. If the application the lag time constant should be set equal to the
requires an inverse relationship between the valve integral time constant of the controller ( TLAG = TI).
signal and the load variable, these connections to the This adjusts the impulse for no lead or lag. Use
deviation amplifier must be reversed. A change in examples A and B in Figure 7 as a guide to find the
feed flow generates an impulse as described above. correct feedforward gain setting.

The A/M transfer switch allows the operator to switch With the correct feedforward gain, use examples C
between auto and manual modes of operation. To and D in Figure 7 to determine the need for lead or
provide bumpless transfer from manual to auto, the lag action. If lead is required, decrease the lag time
auto status (AS) signal from the A/M block forces the constant (TLAG) and if lag is required, increase the
PID block to track the valve signal and the lag block lag time constant.
(LL1) to bypass the lag function.

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 AD353-129

Figure 11 Impulse Feedforward Configuration (CF353-129IM)

The steady state gain (G) of the impulse function is The only disadvantage of impulse feedforward is the
affected by both the deviation amplifier gain potentially disconcerting interaction among the tuning
adjustment (GAIN) and the ratio of the integral and constants during the tuning process. The tuning
lag time constants as follows: procedure is essentially the same in both cases, but
the interaction must be understood to avoid
TLAG frustration.
G = GAIN ( )
TI
MODEL PREDICTIVE FEEDFORWARD
To retain the effective feedforward gain for changes
in TLAG, recalculate the gain of the deviation Model predictive feedforward uses a rigorous
amplifier (GAIN) per the following equation: mathematical model of the process to calculate the
value of the manipulated variable as a function of one
or more load variables. The primary feedback
TI
GAIN = G( ) controller “trims” the model to compensate for
TLAG modeling errors or unmeasured load disturbances.

Suppose, for example, that the feedforward gain was As shown in Figure 12, both the feed flow and the
set for 1.2 when TLAG = TI. If the lag time (TLAG) is feed temperature are measured. The output of the
readjusted to 0.8TI to achieve a leading response, temperature controller (TC) represents the exit
the GAIN of the deviation amplifier should be temperature. In this application, the heat required to
readjusted to (1.2)/(0.8) or 1.5 to retain the original raise the feed flow to the desired exit temperature
feedforward gain. It will be necessary to readjust can be calculated using the following equation.
GAIN for every value of TLAG that is tried while
conducting experiments to determine the optimum
Q = c p F f Δ`T
value of TLAG.
where:
Comparison with Other Methods Q is heat transfer rate [e.g. BTU/hr]
cp is specific heat [e.g. BTU/(lb·ºF)]
Impulse feedforward is accomplished with a simple Ff is feed flow (mass) [e.g. lb/hr]
configuration. It also eliminates completely the ∆T is change in temperature [e.g.·ºF]
potential bias problem that can occur with steady
state feedforward.

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AD353-129

The heat supplied by the steam can be calculated In addition, if both the setpoint and the controller
using the following equation: output are used in the feedforward calculation, there
will be a double correction whenever the setpoint is
Q = λFS changed. This configuration avoids that problem. If
the model provides perfect steady state feedforward
compensation, the temperature controller will be
Where: satisfied when the output equals the desired exit
Q is heat transfer rate [e.g. BTU/hr]
temperature. Otherwise the PID block will bias the
λ is the latent heat of steam [e.g. BTU/lb] ∆T calculation as required to drive the temperature to
Fs is steam flow (mass) [lb/hr] setpoint.
This equation is used to calculate the value of the The equation derived above can be implemented
manipulated variable in a model predictive using a single configurable math block (MTH_). A
feedforward configuration. For other applications, it lead/lag block (LL_) provides dynamic lead or lag
will be necessary to use whichever first principles compensation. A dead time block (DTM_) provides
(heat balance, material balance, etc.) are appropriate
any dead time compensation that may be required.
to derive a rigorous mathematical model. Although all load variables may require dynamic
compensation, it is usually more critical on load
Steam variables that move more quickly such as flow.

The A/M transfer switch allows the operator to switch

Ff T T
between auto and manual modes of operation. To
X + TC provide bumpless transfer from manual to auto, the
_
PID block must be initialized at a value that will allow
the math block (MTH1) to track the output of the A/M
block in the manual mode. This is accomplished by
“back calculating” the appropriate reset feedback in
math block MTH2. In manual, the PID block tracks
FT TT TT the feedback signal provide by MTH2 and the AS
status from the A/M block bypasses the dynamic
functions of the LL_ and DTM_ blocks.
Feed Exit
Temperature If desired, a characterizer block can be inserted in the
valve signal, as shown in Figure 4 for the steady
Heat state feedforward configuration. However, input A to
Exchanger MTH2 must “tee off” upstream of the characterizer
T block to calculate the correct external feedback for
the PID block. Alternatively, if a steam flow
measurement is available, this configuration can be
modified to provide a setpoint to a secondary steam
Condensate flow controller in cascade. See AD353-128 for more
information on Cascade Control.
Figure 12 Model Predictive Feedforward
The Siemens 353 controller uses real (floating point)
Configuration numbers between blocks. This enables engineering
units to be used for block interconnection signals.
The configuration for model predictive feedforward is The PID block output is scaled to represent the exit
shown in Figure 13. The math block (MTH1) is used temperature with a range of 0 to 200ºF. The signal
to calculate the steam flow as a function of feed flow, out of the MTH1 block represents steam flow. Scaler
feed temperature, and exit temperature setpoint. block SCL1 provides a steam flow range to the
Note that the output of the exit temperature controller analog output block so it can convert the steam flow
is used instead of the actual exit temperature setpoint range of 0 to 6000 lbs/hr to 0 to 100% valve signal.
as a convenient method of providing feedback trim to The MTH2 block output signal represents exit
the feedforward calculation. Otherwise, another math temperature for reset feedback to the PID block. The
block would be required to implement feedback trim. calculations for the MTH_ blocks were derived as
follows:

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 AD353-129

Figure 13 Model Predictive Feedforward Configuration (CF353-129MP)

CP
MTH1 Fs = ( )(60 ρF )(T
f e − Tf ) This method requires more design effort than either
λ the steady state or impulse feedforward methods.
However, the effort required will usually be rewarded
MTH2 T e = ( λ )( Fs
) + Tf by significant improvement in control loop
performance.
Cp 60 ρ F f
APPLICATIONS
Ff (Feed Flow) ................ 0 to 400 GPM
The feedforward control techniques described in this
Tf (Feed Temp) ............... 0 to 200 ºF
publication are applicable to any process control loop
Te (Exit Temp)................. 0 to 200 ºF
with measurable load disturbances. Examples are
Fs (Steam Flow) .............. 0 to 6000 lbs/hr
boiler drum level control, composition control in
Cp (specific heat) ............ 0.8 BTU/lb (feed) ºF
distillation columns, and pH control in waste water
ρ (density)........................ 8.25 lb (feed)/ gallon
treatment.
λ (latent heat of steam).... 853.5 BTU/lb of steam
Application Support
Tuning
User manuals for controllers and transmitters,
With model predictive feedforward, the mathematical
addresses of Siemens sales representatives, and
model establishes the relationship between the
more application data sheets can be found at
manipulated variable and the load variables.
www.usa.siemens.com/ia. To reach the process
Therefore, there is no feedforward gain adjustment,
controller page, click Process Instrumentation and
except that which is already built into the model. It is
then Process Controllers and Recorders. To select
necessary to determine only the type of dynamic
the type of assistance desired, click Support (in the
compensation required and to tune it in much the
right-hand column). See AD353-138 for a list of
same manner as described for steady state
Application Data sheets.
feedforward.
The configuration(s) shown in this publication were
Comparison with Other Methods
created in Siemens i|config™ Graphical
Configuration Utility. Those with CF353 in
Model predictive feedforward is the most
parenthesis in the Figure title are available using the
sophisticated of the three methods described and has
above navigation, then click Software Downloads >
the potential to provide the best performance. It can
353 Feedforward Control (Reference AD353-129).
compensate for more than one load variable and is
based on fundamental knowledge of the process.

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AD353-129

The configuration(s) can be created and run in a:

• Model 353 Process Automation Controller
• Model 353R Rack Mount Process Automation
Controller*
• i|pac™ Internet Control System*
• Model 352Plus™ Single-Loop Digital Controller*
* Discontinued model

i|pac, i|config, Procidia, and 352Plus are trademarks of Siemens Industry, Inc. Other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
All product designations may be trademarks or product names of Siemens Industry, Inc. or other supplier companies whose use by third
parties for their own purposes could violate the rights of the owners.

Siemens Industry, Inc. assumes no liability for errors or omissions in this document or for the application and use of information in this
document. The information herein is subject to change without notice.

Siemens Industry, Inc. is not responsible for changes to product functionality after the publication of this document. Customers are urged to
consult with a Siemens Industry, Inc. sales representative to confirm the applicability of the information in this document to the product they
purchased.

Control circuits are provided only to assist customers in developing individual applications. Before implementing any control circuit, it should
be thoroughly tested under all process conditions.

Copyright © 2012, Siemens Industry, Inc.

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